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Fletch

Fletch

And the OHA doesn't give out any info on pending applications, only approved ones.

11:40 am - Fri, May 2 2014

sbagwell

Fletch:Assuming you mean Highway 99W, which actually passes through McMinnville, and not Highway 99E — GOOD LORD GET YOUR INFO CORRECT!!!!!! — I have fixed both elements.We do not include Inc., LLC, PC and such when we identify businesses, by the way. We use their assumed business names, not their legal or corporate ownerships. We do try to get them right, though.I will also get the archived version corrected for you.Steve Bagwell, Managing Editor

12:02 pm - Fri, May 2 2014

Fletch

Hwy 99E was a typo. The "E" is right next to the "W" on the key board. However, completely mangling a business's name AND address is not a typo. How are people supposed to find a business when they are given both the wrong name and address?

I would expect a more professional response from someone of your position.

12:12 pm - Fri, May 2 2014

Jeb Bladine

I agree with Fletch that Steve's response could have been more professional. But I have to add a note of sympathy for his immediate reaction: Some people report a mistake with a polite comment based on an interest in accuracy; others take a nasty tone for no apparent reason. As with similar situations in all walks of life, the result sometimes is a matching reaction. We should treat those situations the same, I know, but sometimes it's hard to resist an in-kind response. Still, thanks for the tip -- glad we could get the information corrected.Jeb BladinePublisher

12:30 pm - Fri, May 2 2014

Fletch

It seem the NR's editorial members don't really favor Dispensaries in town. I will say after talking with folks down there, who are terminal, it's a blessing to be able to bring some comfort into their lives. For the life of me, I can not understand why people would want to stand in their way. Shameful...

Lack of regulation as implied by the NR is a sham in my mind. There is far to much regulation already. I'm not talking about medical cannabis, but in general.

04:31 pm - Fri, May 9 2014

kona

Fletch,

The primary problem is that the service is abused by many and tarnishes the needs of a few. The abuse overshadows the need.

08:12 pm - Fri, May 9 2014

Fletch

Kona,

What is being abused in your mind? People like to smoke or ingest cannabis. It is in our genetic make up.

The Endocannabinoid System is one reason why.

In my mind what is being abused is the peoples rights or lack of rights to choose what they want to consume or not consume. Your morals are no better then mine my friend. My heart is kind and my work ethic is all out. I consume cannabis for therapeutic reasons myself. I have no problem sharing that with anyone. I don't feel any less of a person for doing so. Even though you may feel my reason for doing so is abuse and you look at me as a "stoner."

I know your days in the war have made a bad impression of cannabis on you. You have said it a few times. Even though I am too young to know, I'm sure what you experienced over there was horrific and you dealt with it the best that you could. I also would have to say that many others had other coping mechanisms and weather you agree or not, it makes you know better then the KID that was next to you who smoked a joint. If I recall, most soldiers were drafted and had no choice. If I had to guess, it was the heroin not the cannabis that was the issue.My two cents.

kona

Fletch,

You said, "In my mind what is being abused is the peoples rights or lack of rights to choose what they want to consume or not consume."

That is important. Do you draw the line at any point? Age? Substance? Do you have the same feelings for meth, heroin etc.? I will say that I agree with your suggestion as long as no one else is involved when an individual consumes. I have no problem if you are a "stoner" as long as no one else is affected, either directly or indirectly, by your actions.

05:19 pm - Sat, May 10 2014

Fletch

Kona,

I do have a line drawn. In my mind, meth has zero place in our society. Heroin neither. People wither away when consumed for long periods of time. Just as they do when consuming large quantities of alcohol for long periods of time. Or Tabaco.

The law says at the age of 18 we are to be tried as an adult. So I guess that is where I draw my line for age. Even though, in the state of Oregon, I was told by a doctor who set my son"s arm, at the age of 15, a youth can consent for their own medical care. Does this mean a doctor would prescribe a narcotic pain killer to a child? I don't understand. I know that's a little off subject, but it's an interesting point.

"Indirectly", is far to vague. I agree with you 100% about directly.

09:03 am - Sun, May 11 2014

kona

Thank you. I am trying to understand your position the best I can.

So when you say, "In my mind what is being abused is the peoples rights or lack of rights to choose what they want to consume or not consume." That is meant primarily for marijuana and not products you (and most people) don't approve? Are rights of those who want to "consume" meth, heroin etc. abused? Should those rights be abused?

01:51 pm - Sun, May 11 2014

Fletch

Complicated. Meth and heroin are schedule 1 drugs and for good reason I think. On the other hand, even though cannabis is still schedule federally, schedule 2 in Oregon, it has far less of an impact on a persons health then any of the fore mentioned drugs. Further more, Because a drug exist, it doesn't mean that is should be consumed.

I am just under the opinion that cannabis has been made out to be a villain so some philanthropist could cash in. It's just unfortunate that law enforcement jumped on the revenue generating sham as well.

I sent you a link a couple of years ago for a report put together by the global drug commission, highlighting the impact of the war on drugs. After reading that, I'm still in disbelief that people who have read the report are not considering a new position. The rest of the world is not buying what the US has been selling when it comes to cannabis. Oppressive.

02:50 pm - Sun, May 11 2014

kona

Fletch,

Can you describe the feeling that you get from the effects of marijuana? Is it always the same effect? Do you ever feel impaired? Are you always in control of the effects, or have you ever been in a weakened mental/physical state?

08:22 pm - Sun, May 11 2014

Fletch

For myself Kona, I am a workaholic and have trouble shutting it off. Also being a construction stiff, paving and laying pipe for most of my adult life, I have put a lot of leverage on my body and have arthritis and nerve pain. My sciatic has been flared up for the last three months and it's like I have had a knife in my right butt cheek. The use of cannabis relaxes me and I would have to say I am always in control. I understand the effects from cannabis and make sure I am in a position to use cannabis in a responsible manner. I don't become weakened. For myself, I often times become clearer. It depends on what I am doing. I don't smoke myself into a stupor. Just like over drinking, people can over smoke.

07:30 am - Mon, May 12 2014

Fletch

One note. I know people who use cannabis like it's a habitual thing. Like somebody getting up in the morning having a cigarette and a cup of coffee. It's a way of life and handle themselves accordingly.

07:57 am - Mon, May 12 2014

kona

My impression of your thoughts is that using cannabis for medical reasons is acceptable and using cannabis as a mind altering drug is also acceptable. What controls, if any, should be placed on its use? Workplace? In the presence of minors? In public areas?

09:07 am - Mon, May 12 2014

Fletch

You know Kona, Each person has a responsibility to use their own common sense. I can not vouch for everybody's values. I don't care to. I like to mind my own business. Different people have different needs. Needs are as vast a people themselves.

My friends level of anxiety rises expediently if she is not used cannabis for a few hours. You can see her become more fidgety and watch her jaw start to flex. It looks uncomfortable. Like I said the level of use for some may be to much or not enough for others.Medically and mind altering can be one and the same.

09:28 am - Mon, May 12 2014

kona

Again, that is interesting. You said, "Each person has a responsibility to use their own common sense."

I agree that people have that responsibility. That responsibility is too often abused. While I am in agreement with you if no one else is involved, but leaving the use up to each individual generally does not seem acceptable. That would be like letting all people using mind altering drugs decide what is appropriate. It just doesn't work well. I think that is the primary reason that marijuana use is not endorsed by so many people.

12:40 pm - Mon, May 12 2014

Cybercop

How disrespectful to any mother trying to raise a drug free child, how are you going to dispense cannabis in a small town and lock up all the crackheads, this makes crackheads want to smoke meth twice as hard. So what's next, are we going to be able to sell crystal meth now or what? Are our kids going to start shooting up heroin? Oh wait, let's all sell meth everybody, hey and let's get our kids stoned and retarded, why not there's a weed store right next to wal-mart. Let's all get high, we can all really f this place up. If this place isn't banned soon, the collapse of our small town will begin. Keep that shit in Portland. The patients can grow there own, all this does is inspire my kids to go and get high, why not, there selling it across the street from GAME STOP! I'm no Nostradamus but I guarantee you this is diluting our future generations...

01:33 am - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

Kona, National polls show otherwise. Your personal separation from is not mine. Your views on cannabis are not mine. I would have to say that you are in the minority on the subject.

06:24 am - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

Cybercop.

Everybody I talk to about cannabis and uses medical cannabis is complaining about the high amounts of meth and heroin in McMinnville. Just because people use cannabis doesn't mean they condone schedule 1 drug use. I use cannabis and I don't condone the use of meth and heroin. In fact, I would make it a priority to bring down any A-hole who approached a child with any drug.

If you think banning a dispensary is going to solve what you perceive as a problem, think again. If you don't think that cannabis has been are McMinnville until the opening of a dispensary, your living in a dream world. Where was the cannabis coming from in 60's 70's 80,s and so on. You couldn't be any farther from the truth. Old propaganda. While your banning dispensaries, why don't you ban all the large windowed wine tasting areas propping up there patrons for all to see including our children who play up and down 3'rd street. Lets get high on fermented grape juice and put them all on display on 3'rd street. People love watching other people getting high on grape juice through windows on third street. Sounds crazy to the people who like to go get high on grape juice on third street I bet.

06:53 am - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

Correction; If you don't think that cannabis has been are McMinnville until the opening of a dispensary,

ToIf you don't think cannabis has been in McMinnville until the opening of a dispensary,

03:38 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

kona

Fletch,You said, "I would have to say that you are in the minority on the subject."

What did I say that would put me in "the minority on the subject"?

04:18 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

I guess the way I understood your comment is, your not in agreement of cannabis use for the public.National polls show that the people are now in favor of full legalization, even though I read your comment as otherwise.

05:03 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

"I agree that people have that responsibility. That responsibility is too often abused. While I am in agreement with you if no one else is involved, but leaving the use up to each individual generally does not seem acceptable. That would be like letting all people using mind altering drugs decide what is appropriate. It just doesn't work well."

Kona, you already do. Coffee, nicotine any anti depression medications are being used by millions. People who use these drugs are certainly making appropriate decisions...

05:16 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

"I agree that people have that responsibility. That responsibility is too often abused."

I don't understand this comment. Please elaborate.

05:22 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

kona

I said, "I agree that people have that responsibility. That responsibility is too often abused."

People do not always make responsible decisions. It is like asking an alcoholic to make a responsible decision about drinking alcohol, the responsible decision "is too often abused". Not much differently than a "stoner" applying for medical marijuana (without a medical need) abusing the system.

06:55 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

kona

You said, "Kona, you already do. Coffee, nicotine any anti depression medications are being used by millions. People who use these drugs are certainly making appropriate decisions..."

No, those "appropriate decisions" are too often abused. They are often inappropriate decisions if those decisions affect anyone else, and many times those decisions do affect others.

Again, I have no issue with a person willfully destroying their own life as long as they don't take others with them. I think it is sad, but I think it is their right.

07:02 pm - Tue, May 13 2014

Fletch

Kona;

Are you implying that if one drinks or smokes or takes an anti depressant, that individual is not capable making any valid decisions?

Where do you draw the line between abuse and casual consumption?

10:47 am - Wed, May 14 2014

kona

Fletch,

You are inferring something different than I am implying.

I said, "those "appropriate decisions" are too often abused". I don't think there is anything about that statement that is controversial. It doesn't mean that " if one drinks or smokes or takes an anti depressant, that individual is not capable making any valid decisions".

I would guess that all decisions are "valid decisions". Not all decisions are good decisions. I will suggest that labeling any decision as "good" or "bad" is debatable depending on a person's perspective. I think it is less debatable when people are harmed from a decision.

This is what I said, "People do not always make responsible decisions. It is like asking an alcoholic to make a responsible decision about drinking alcohol, the responsible decision "is too often abused". Not much differently than a "stoner" applying for medical marijuana (without a medical need) abusing the system."

Additionally, those poor decisions could apply to abused prescription drugs and many other vices in our society.

12:28 pm - Wed, May 14 2014

Fletch

Thanks Kona. It's been good chatting with you!

08:19 pm - Wed, May 14 2014

kona

Thank you Fletch. I appreciate your views. Catch you next time.

08:41 pm - Wed, May 14 2014

Fletch

Cybercop:

This is Fletch's wife.

If your kids are inspired to go and get high simply because there is a dispensary in town, you have not done your job as a parent. Do not blame that on the dispensary. It is YOUR job as a parent to educate your kids about the danger of drugs, not the government's. It is up to the mother trying to raise a drug free child to make sure she has a drug free child. If you do not need to go to a dispensary then it will have no impact on either your life or your children's lives. It is narrow views like yours that keep misinformation and discrimination alive. And no, I don't use marijuana. Neither does my kid.